Sunday, December 27, 2015

Army hopeful of ending insurgency problem

From the Visayan Daily Star (Dec 28): Army hopeful of ending insurgency problem
 
With barely six months before President Benigno Aquino III completes his term of office, Army chief, Lt. Gen. Eduardo Año, expressed his hope that Brig. Gen. Harold Cabreros, the newly-installed commander of the 3 rd Infantry Division, will defeat the CPP-NPA and end the insurgency problem in the three regions of the Visayas by 2016.

Año said he is confident that Cabreros, who was responsible for the neutralization of top Mindanao NPA leader Leoncio Pitao, alias kumander Parago, will be able to achieve it, citing his vast experience and outstanding leadership skills.

Cabreros, former deputy commander of the AFP Eastern Mindanao Command, replaced Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Mutiangpili, who served as acting 3ID commander for more than a month, in a ceremony held Dec. 23 at Camp Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz.

The 3ID supervises the internal peace security operations in Western Visayas, the Negros Island Region, and Central Visayas, with 10 provinces already declared as peaceful and ready for further development.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines is targeting to end the insurgency problem next year.

In response to the challenge, Cabreros said he aims to secure and sustain the gains of 3ID in its internal peace and security efforts, through “Bayanihan”.

Aside from clearing the remaining insurgent-affected areas in the 3ID area of responsibility, Cabreros said he will also continue to work closely with its partners and stakeholders in nation-building activities and in humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations in the three Visayas regions.

The NPA still has at least about 400 armed followers in Panay and Negros islands.

Cabreros also encouraged the 3ID troopers to continue to obey the oath that they took in serving the country and the people. “Let us remain professional and continue to serve selflessly with the highest degree of commitment and dedication in the performance of our duty, with utmost respect for the rights of our people.”

Meanwhile, Año acknowledged the significant accomplishments of Maj. Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero, the former commander of 3ID, who is now serving as commander of the AFP's Eastern Mindanao Command, starting November.

Under the leadership of Guerrero, from September 2014 to November 2015, the 3ID was able to neutralize 64 members of the New People's Army, including the arrest of Ma. Concepcion Araneta-Bocala, secretary of the Komiteng Rehiyonal-Panay, and facilitated the surrender of 71 NPA rebels.

Military records also showed that the 3ID recovered 15 high-powered firearms, and 25 low-powered guns, and discovered 24 NPA encampments.*

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2015/December/28/negor2.htm

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